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NEVER shoot an arrow straight up into the air. You can
end up hitting another person or yourself.
NEVER shoot an arrow off into the distance where you
cannot see where it will land. Again, you could end up hitting another person.
Only use archery equipment in places that are especially
set up for target practice - such as indoor and outdoor target ranges. Targets
should be set up to ensure that no one can be accidentally hit by a stray arrow.
Allow at least 20 yards behind the targets and a 30 degree "cone of
safety" on each side of the shooting lane. Try to place targets against a
hill or rising terrain as a safety measure.
If you are looking for a lost arrow behind a target,
always leave your bow leaning against the target face so that it will be seen by
other archers coming up. If possible, have one archer from your group stand in
front of the target to prevent anyone from shooting.
On field archery or 3-D courses, be sure to stay on the
marked path and travel only in the direction in which the targets are laid out
while shooting is in progress. Going backwards on the trail or across an
unmarked area could place you in the path of a flying arrow, resulting in
serious injury.
DO NOT shoot arrows with broadheads at standard targets.
Set up broadhead pits for such practice.
Check your bow regularly for loose parts. If in doubt,
have it checked by a professional before shooting it any more.
Check the condition of your bowstring regularly. It's
cheaper to install a new string than to replace the bow.
Don't draw a bowstring back further than the length of
the arrow for which it is intended. Overdrawing can break the bow and injure the
shooter in the process. There is an old saying that a fully drawn bow is 7/8
broken!
Don't draw the string back except with an arrow on it
and, especially, don't release the bowstring with no arrow on it. Doing so is
called dry firing and can damage the bow.
At practice ranges, the only safe place is behind the
shooting line. Never shoot an arrow until you are positive that no one is in
front of you or behind the targets. Conversely, don't stand in front of a bow
while it is being shot, even if you are to one side of the shooter.
Wait for a verbal approval from the Range Captain or his
designee before starting to shoot.
Arrows should only be nocked on the shooting line and
pointed in the direction of the targets.
After you are done shooting, wait for the word: CLEAR
from the Range Captain or his designee before going toward the targets to
retrieve your arrows.
WALK, don't run toward the targets. Remember that the
arrows are sticking out and can injure you.
When pulling arrows out of a target, stand to one side
and ensure that no one is directly behind you.
If archers will be shooting concurrently at varying
distances, stagger the targets, not the people. This goes back to the previous
rule about having one shooting line and staying behind it.
If you are using broadheads, be sure that they are
adequately covered when not in use. Treat a broadhead with the same caution that
you would a razor blade.
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Shel@ProString.com 
